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The trial of Captain Rawle for the
manslaughter of one of the many unfortunate
passengers that were lost by the foundering of
the emigrant ship John, of this port, in the
month of May last, took place at Bodmin, on
Saturday, when the case was most fully and
carefully investigated.
We give, in our supplement, the fullest report
that has been published of the trial. The case on
behalf of the Crown was most ably sustained by
the counsel for the prosecution, and on going
through the evidence adduced in support of the
prosecution, it seems to us that it would not
have been possible for the jury to arrive at any
other conclusion than that of acquittal.
The evidence makes it appear that on the night of
the unfortunate accident, the man at the helm had
steered in the direction indicated, and there was
no want of attention in the performance of his
duties on the part of the unfortunate captain of
the ship.
It was stated at the time, that there was on his
part the greatest carelessness - that when the
accident occurred he was the first to get into a
boat to endeavour to escape, and thus to leave
all the unfortunate people not yet drowned to
save themselves in the best way that they could.
Instead of that, it is certain he called upon all
who could do so to get into the rigging, as their
only means of safety, and when he took to the
rigging himself tried to save a child belonging
to one of the passengers.
It is possible that had an attempt been made
immediately after the accident, and while the
tide was ebbing, to land the passengers, it might
have proved successful. But the whole of the
coast near the Manacles is extremely rocky, and
the captain being afraid of losing his
passengers, and hoping that they would be able to
weather the night, urged them to remain on board;
and did not himself leave the ship till the last
boat went ashore.
It seems to us most probable, and it appears to
have been the opinion of the learned Judge before
whom the case was tried, that the cause of the
disaster originated in the incorrectness of the
compasses. One of these was a
"new-fashioned" one, and to that,
perhaps, may really be attributed the dire
calamity which carried so many persons to a
premature and untimely grave. However, be the
cause what it may, there is no sufficient reason
for any other verdict than that which the Cornish
jury returned in regard to Captain Rawle.
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